Multiple participants type gaming device and playing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A gaming device pays medals at a station on which a second station side combination is displayed, when the second station side combination coincides with a combination of three dice symbols for judgment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-012807, filed on Jan. 23, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming device for playing games by using gaming media such as coins, bills, etc., and a playing method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,635 B1 discloses a slot machine for playing games in a stand-alone fashion.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,984 B2 discloses a technique by which a plurality of slot machines are connected to a central control device respectively, but even in this technique, the games are effectively played in a stand-alone fashion.

On the other hand, the multiple participants type games such as card games using trumps and roulette games are very popular. One of the reasons for their popularity is considered to be that a player is less likely to get bored by the game in the multiple participant type game than a stand-alone type game such as the slot machine described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in order to solve the problems described above, and has an object to provide a gaming device and a playing method of a game for providing new multiple participant type games.

The first aspect of the present invention is a gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display a symbol information indicating symbols to be a target for awarding a prize; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols indicated by the symbol information displayed on the common display.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station contain symbols indicated by a symbol information displayed on a common display. In addition, a player cannot judge whether a prize is to be awarded to himself or not unless attentions are paid to both the common display and the station at which himself is playing the game, so that it is expected to be less likely to get bored by the game compared with the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the common display or the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the station at which himself is playing the game.

The second aspect of the present invention is a gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display symbols; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols displayed on the common display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station contain symbols displayed on a common display.

The third aspect of the present invention is a gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display a plurality of symbols; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange a plurality of symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when a combination of symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations coincides with a combination of symbols displayed on the common display.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when a combination of symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station coincide with a combination of symbols displays on a common display.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is a playing method of a game, comprising: displaying a symbol information indicating symbols to be a target for awarding a prize on a common display; rearranging symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols indicated by the symbol information displayed on the common display.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station contain symbols indicated by a symbol information displayed on a common display. In addition, a player cannot judge whether a prize is to be awarded to himself or not unless attentions are paid to both the common display and the station at which himself is playing the game, so that it is expected to be less likely to get bored by the game compared with the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the common display or the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the station at which himself is playing the game.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is a playing method of a game, comprising: displaying symbols on a common display; rearranging symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols displayed on the common display.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station contain symbols displayed on a common display.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is a playing method of a game, comprising: displaying a plurality of symbols on a common display; rearranging a plurality of symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when a combination of symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations coincides with a combination of symbols displayed on the common display.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a new multiple participant type game in which a prize is awarded at one station when a combination of symbols rearranged on an individual display provided at one station coincide with a combination of symbols displays on a common display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a dice rotation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a station according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure by a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure by a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure by a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure by a gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outward appearance of a gaming device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of a dice rotation device 2 (common display).

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming device 1 has a dice rotation device 2 and eight stations 10. The dice rotation device 2 is arranged at a center of the gaming device 1, and the stations 10 are arranged to surround the dice rotation device 2. The station 10 has a medal insertion slot 11, a medal payout opening 12, and a liquid crystal display device 13 (individual display). A player plays a game by using the station 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dice rotation device 2 has a hollow portion 3, a transparent plate 4, a rotation plate 5, a protruded portion 6, two dices 7, a motor 8, a rotational shaft 8 a, and a scanner 9.

The hollow portion 3 is a column shaped space, which is formed at a central part of an upper face of the gaming device 1. The transparent plate 4 is in a disk shape, and covering an upper face of the hollow portion 3. The rotation plate 5 is in a disk shape, and covering a lower face of the hollow portion 3. The rotation plate 5 is formed by a transparent member. The protruded portion 6 is formed by a transparent member, and provided at a center of an upper face of the rotation plate 5. Note that the protruded portion 6 has its shape determined such that dices 7 and the motor 8 will not overlap when the rotation plate 5 is viewed from the scanner 9. The three dices 7 are provided at a surrounding part of the protruded portion 6 on an upper face of the rotation plate 5. The dice 7 is a cubic dice commonly used, where a dice symbol (symbol) indicating a numerical value of any one from 1 to 6 is drawn on each face of the dice 7.

The motor 8 is provided on a lower side of the rotation plate 5. The rotational shaft 8 a connects a center of a lower face of the rotation plate 5 and the motor 8. The motor 8 rotates the rotational shaft 8 a. The rotation plate 5 will be rotated integrally with the rotational shaft 8 a (that is, with the rotational shaft 8 a as a rotation axis). In this way, two dices 7 will be rolled on the rotation plate 5. The scanner 9 is provided on a lower side of the motor 8. The scanner 9 acquires an image in which lower faces of the dices 7 (that is, faces in contact with an upper face of the rotation plate 5) are drawn, by scanning an upper face of the rotation plate 5 almost entirely. Consequently, it becomes possible to judge the dice symbols drawn on upper faces of the dices 7 (that is, faces facing to the transparent plate 4), according to this image. This is because a total of numerical values indicated by dice symbols on opposite sides always becomes “6”. Note that the upper faces of the dices 7 are faces visible by the players.

The gaming device 1 determines whether medals (a prize) are to be paid at each station 10 or not, according to the dice symbols displayed by the three dices 7 (that is, the dice symbols drawn on the upper faces of the dices 7). In the following, the dice symbols respectively displayed by the three dices 7 will also be referred as three dice symbols for judgment.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 11 show images displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13. On a surface of the liquid crystal display device 13, a touch panel 52 is provided, and the player can bet medals or receive a payout of medals by pressing the touch panel 52 while watching images displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13. In the following description, “pressing buttons” implies pressing portions at which buttons are displayed within the touch panel 52.

The liquid crystal display device 13 displays a betting time display frame 14, bet buttons 15 and 36, a start button 16, a waiting time display frame 17, betting number display frames 24 and 34, acquired medal number display frames 25 and 35, a credit number display frame 26, betting unit determination buttons 27 to 31, a cursor 32, reset buttons 33 and 42, a payout button 43, reels 44, and reels 18 to be described below.

Three reels 44 are arranged in a horizontal direction of FIG. 3. The reel 44 is the so called video reel, where a plurality of dice symbols 45 are drawn on its circumferential face. Each dice symbol 45 indicates a numerical value of any one from 1 to 6. When the three reels 44 are stopped, nine dice symbols 45 will be arranged in a matrix shape, and when the three reels 44 are rotated, all the dice symbols 45 will be scrolled. The nine dice symbols 45 will be rearranged in a matrix shape as the three reels 44 are stopped again.

The gaming device 1 provides two games including an ordinary game and a special game. The ordinary game is a game in which whether medals are to be paid at each station 10 or not is determined according to a combination of dice symbols (which will also be referred as “first station side combination” in the following) formed by the dice symbols rearranged at a central level (a region enclosed by a dashed line 20) among the nine dice symbols 45 rearranged in a matrix shape. One ordinary game is started as the processing of the step S19 to be described below is started, and finished when the processing of the step S22 to be described below is finished. The special game will be described below.

Inside the betting time display frame 14, a remaining time during which the player can bet medals with respect to the special game, that is the betting time, is displayed. An initial value of this betting time is 60, and it is decreased by one whenever one second elapses.

Inside the waiting time display frame 17, a remaining time until a next special game is started, that is the waiting time, is displayed. An initial value of this waiting time is 300, and it is decreased by one whenever one second elapses.

The betting unit determination buttons 27 to 31 will be used at a time of setting the number of medals to be bet with respect to the ordinary game or the special game by a single betting operation (referred also as “a unit betting number of medals” in the following). The numerical values drawn on the betting unit determination buttons 27 to 31 indicate a unit betting number of medals that can be set by pressing that button. For example, the player sets the unit betting number of medals to “1” by pressing the betting unit determination button 27. Note that, the unit betting number of medals is set to “1” in the initial state. The cursor 32 will be displayed at a button corresponding to the unit betting number of medals currently set.

The bet button 15 will be used when the player bets medals with respect to the ordinary game. Namely, every time the player presses the bet button 15 once (that is, makes the betting operation once), a number of medals bet with respect to the ordinary game is increased as much as the unit betting number of medals currently set. The start button 16 will be used when the player starts the ordinary game. The reset button 33 will be used when the player cancels the betting operation with respect to the ordinary game.

Inside the betting number display frame 24, a total number of medals bet with respect to the ordinary game will be displayed. Consequently, every time the player presses the bet button 15 once, the number displayed inside the betting number display frame 24 is increased as much as the unit betting number of medals currently set. Inside the acquired medal number display frame 25, a total number of medals newly acquired by the player in the current ordinary game will be displayed. Inside the credit number display frame 26, a total number of medals to be paid to the player at the station 10 displaying the credit number display frame 26 (referred also as “a total credit number” in the following) will be displayed.

The bet button 36 will be used when the player bets medals with respect to the special game. Namely, every time the player presses the bet button 36 once (that is, makes the betting operation once), a number of medals bet with respect to the special game is increased as much as the unit betting number of medals currently set. The reset button 42 will be used when the player cancels the betting operation with respect to the special game.

Inside the betting number display frame 34, a total number of medals bet with respect to the special game will be displayed. Consequently, every time the player presses the bet button 36 once, the number displayed inside the betting number display frame 34 is increased as much as the unit betting number of medals currently set. Inside the acquired medal number display frame 35, a total number of medals newly acquired by the player in the current special game will be displayed. The payout button 43 will be used when the player receives the payout of as much medals as the total credit number.

FIG. 3 shows a screen displayed by each liquid crystal display device 13 when the medals are not entered at all the stations 10 (namely, when “0” is displayed inside all the credit number display frames 26).

When the medals are not entered at all the stations 10, if the player enters 1000 medals from a medal insertion slot 11 of any station 10, a screen shown in FIG. 4 will be displayed at the liquid crystal display device 13 of that station 10. Namely, “1000” will be displayed inside the credit number display frame 26, and “300” will be displayed inside the waiting time display frame 17. After that, the numerical value inside the waiting time display frame 17, that is the waiting time, is decreased by one whenever one second elapses. When the waiting time becomes 0, the acceptance of the betting operation with respect to the special game will be started. In other words, the player cannot bet medals on the special game until the waiting time becomes 0. However, even if the waiting time is not 0, it is possible to bet medals on the ordinary game. Thus the player will bet medals on the ordinary game until the waiting time becomes 0. For example, the player bets 100 medals on the ordinary game, as shown in FIG. 5, by setting the unit betting number of medals to “100” and then pressing the bet button 15 once. The number of medals bet on the ordinary game by the player will be displayed inside the betting number display frame 24, and the total credit number, that is, the numerical value inside the credit number display frame 26, will be decreased as much as the number of medals bet on the ordinary game by the player. Note that when the player presses the reset button 33, the total credit number will be increased as much as the numerical value displayed inside the betting number display frame 24 until then, and “0” will be displayed inside the betting number display frame 24 (that is, the number of medals bet on the ordinary game becomes “0”).

After that, when the player presses the start button 16, the rotation of the three reels 44 is started as shown in FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. 7, and stopped after a certain period of time has elapsed as shown in FIG. 7. As a result, the first station side combination is ascertained. When the first station side combination (a combination of symbols) coincides with a prescribed medal payout target combination (a combination of symbols set in advance), medals will be paid to the player. Here, as the medal payout target combination, it is possible to consider a combination of dice symbols formed by three identical dice symbols, a combination of dice symbols in which two dice symbols are identical, a combination of dice symbols in which numerical values indicated by three dice symbols are consecutive, etc., for example. The payout rate (the number of medals to be paid with respect to one medal) is set for each medal payout target combination. When the first station side combination coincides with any of the medal payout target combinations, as many medals as (the number of medals bet on the ordinary game)×(the payout rate corresponding to the first station side combination) will be paid. The number of medals to be paid will be displayed inside the acquired medal number display frame 25, and the total credit number will be increased as much as this number (that is, the number inside the credit number display frame 26 will be increased). In FIG. 7, the first station side combination is “5”, “5” and “5”, and this coincides with the medal payout target combination. The payout rate for this medal payout target combination is “10”, so that 100×10=1000 medals will be paid. Namely, “1000” will be displayed inside the acquired medal number display frame 25, and the total credit number will be increased by “1000”.

After that, when the waiting time becomes 0 as shown in FIG. 8, three reels 18 are newly displayed, “60” which is the initial value of the betting time is displayed inside the betting time display frame 14, and the bet button 36 is flashed.

Three reels 18 are arranged in a horizontal direction of FIG. 3. The reel 18 is the so called video reel, where a plurality of dice symbols 19 are drawn on its circumferential face. Each dice symbol 19 indicates a numerical value of any one from 1 to 6. When the three reels 18 are stopped, nine dice symbols 19 will be arranged in a matrix shape, and when the three reels 18 are rotated, all the dice symbols 19 will be scrolled. The nine dice symbols 19 will be rearranged in a matrix shape as the three reels 18 are stopped again.

The special game is a game in which whether medals are to be paid at each station 10 or not is determined according to a combination of dice symbols (which will also be referred as “second station side combination” in the following) formed by the dice symbols rearranged at a central level (a region enclosed by a dashed line 21) among the nine dice symbols 19 rearranged in a matrix shape. One special game is started as the processing of the step S3-1 to be described below is started, and finished when all the stations 10 finish the processing of the step S41 to be described below.

The numerical value displayed inside the betting time display frame 14, that is the betting time, is decreased by one whenever one second elapses. The player can bet medals on the special game before the betting time becomes “0”. Note that the bet button 36 is flashed until the betting time becomes “0”. Consequently, the player can easily judge whether it is possible to bet medals on the special game or not.

For example, the player bets 100 medals on the special game, as shown in FIG. 9, by setting the unit betting number of medals to “100” and then pressing the bet button 36 once. The number of medals bet on the special game by the player will be displayed inside the betting number display frame 34, and the total credit number, that is, the numerical value inside the credit number display frame 26, will be decreased as much as the number of medals bet on the special game by the player. Note that when the player presses the reset button 42, the total credit number will be increased as much as the numerical value displayed inside the betting number display frame 34 until then, and “0” will be displayed inside the betting number display frame 34 (that is, the number of medals bet on the special game becomes “0”).

After that, when the betting time becomes “0”, the rotation of the three reels 18 is started and the dice rotation device 2 starts the rotation of the rotation plate 5, as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the rotation of the dices 7 is also started. After that, the three reels 18 are stopped after a certain period of time has elapsed since the rotation is started, and the dice rotation device 2 also stops the rotation plate 5, as shown in FIG. 11. As a result, the second station side combination and the three dice symbols for judgment are ascertained. When the second station side combination (a combination of symbols) coincides with a combination of the three dice symbols for judgment (a combination of symbols displayed on a common display), medals will be paid to the player. More specifically, as many medals as (the number of medals bet on the special game)×5 will be paid. The number of medals to be paid will be displayed inside the acquired medal number display frame 35, and the total credit number will be increased as much as this number (that is, the number inside the credit number display frame 26 will be increased). In FIG. 11, the second station side combination is “2”, “3” and “5”, and the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment is “2”, “3” and “5” although it is not shown, so that 100×5=500 medals will be paid. Namely, “500” will be displayed inside the acquired medal number display frame 35, and the total credit number will be increased by “500”. After that, the reels 18 are deleted. Note that FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 show the case where the player plays only the special game, but the player can play the special game and the ordinary game in parallel.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the gaming device 1. The gaming device 1 has a server 46 and a plurality of stations 10.

The server 46 has a server ROM 47, a server RAM 48, and a server CPU 49 as its electric configuration. A controller 461 is formed by the server RAM 48 and the server CPU 49.

The server ROM 47 stores programs necessary for the operations of the server 46 and the like. The server RAM 48 will be used as a work area of the server CPU 49.

The server CPU 49 carries out various types of control according to the programs stored in the server ROM 47. For example, the server CPU 49 carries out a control for determining whether medals are to be paid at each station 10 or not, according to the first station side combination, the medal payout target combinations, the second station side combination, and the combinations of the three dice symbols for judgment. In addition, the server CPU 49 also carries out a control of the motor 8 and the scanner 9, and transmission and reception of signals among the stations 10.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the station 10. The station 10 has a station ROM 50, a station RAM 51, a touch panel 52, a medal sensor 53, a hopper 54, a liquid crystal control circuit 55, and a liquid crystal display device 13, as its electric configuration.

The station ROM 50 stores programs necessary for the operations of the station 10, a correspondence table indicating a correspondence relationship between the medal payout target combinations and the payout rates, etc. The station RAM 51 will be used as a work area of the station CPU 56. The touch panel 52 outputs an operation signal according to a position pressed by the player to the station CPU 56 when it is pressed by the player. The medal sensor 53 detects medals entered from the medal insertion slot 11. The medal sensor 53 outputs a credit detection signal to the station CPU 56 when medals entered from the medal insertion slot 11 are detected. The hopper 54 pays out as many medals as the total credit number from the medal payout opening 12, under the control by the station CPU 56, when the payout button 43 is pressed. The liquid crystal control circuit 55 stores various images (an image shown in FIG. 3, for example), and displays various images on the liquid crystal display device 13, under the control of the station CPU 56.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 17 are flow charts showing a procedure of the processing to be carried out by the gaming device 1. The server 46 carries out the server side processing, and the station 10 carries out the station side ordinary processing, the station side special processing, and the credit increasing processing, alternately in every prescribed time (1 ms, for example). For example, when the station side ordinary processing is carried out for a prescribed time, the station 10 starts the station side special processing, and when the station side special processing is carried out for a prescribed time, the credit increasing processing is started. When the credit increasing processing is carried out for a prescribed time, the station 10 starts the station side ordinary processing. In the following, the station 10 repeats the similar processing. First, the server side processing will be described.

At the step S1, the server CPU 49 waits until the credit signal is given from any one of the stations 10, and proceeds to the step S2 when the credit signal is given. Note that each station 10 outputs the credit signal to the server CPU 49 when the total credit number stored by that station 10 becomes greater than or equal to 1.

At the step S2, the server CPU 49 outputs a preparation start signal to each station 10. Each station 10 displays “300”, which is an initial value of the waiting time, inside the waiting time display frame 17, at a timing of receiving the preparation start signal, and thereafter, decreases the waiting time by one whenever one second elapses. When the waiting time becomes “0”, each station 10 displays “60”, which is an initial value of the betting time, inside the betting time display frame 14, and thereafter, decreases the betting time by one whenever one second elapses. The player can bet medals on the special game during a period since “60” is displayed inside the betting time display frame 14 until the betting time becomes “0”.

At the step S3, the server CPU 49 forms a waiting time timer in the server RAM 48, and sets its initial value to be “300”. The waiting time timer indicates the waiting time. The server CPU 49 thereafter decreases a value of the waiting time timer by one whenever one second elapses, and waits until a value of the waiting time timer becomes “0”. When a value of the waiting time timer becomes “0” (that is, when the waiting time becomes “0”), the server CPU 49 proceeds to the step S3.

At the step S3-1, the server CPU 49 forms a betting time timer in the server RAM 48, and sets its initial value to be “60”. The betting time timer indicates the betting time. The server CPU 49 thereafter decreases a value of the betting time timer by one whenever one second elapses, and waits until a value of the betting time timer becomes “0”. When a value of the betting time timer becomes “0” (that is, when the betting time becomes “0”), the server CPU 49 proceeds to the step S4.

At the step S4, the server CPU 49 outputs a motor driving signal to the motor 8. The motor 8 rotates the rotational shaft 8 a according to the motor driving signal. As a result, the rotation plate 5 is rotated, so that the dices 7 are rotated.

At the step S5, the server CPU 49 transmits a reel rotation request signal to each station 10. Each station 10 rotates the reel 18 according to the reel rotation request signal. As a result, the dice symbols 19 drawn on the circumferential face of the reel 18 are scrolled.

At the step S6, the server CPU 49 waits until a prescribed driving period (10 seconds, for example) elapses since outputting the motor driving signal, and proceeds to the step S7 when the driving period has elapsed.

At the step S7, the server CPU 49 outputs a motor stopping signal to the motor 8. The motor 8 stops the rotational shaft 8 a according to the motor stopping signal. As a result, the rotation plate 5 is stopped, so that the dices 7 are stopped. As a result, the three dice symbols for judgment are ascertained.

At the step S8, the server CPU 49 judges a condition that a betting operation signal is given from any one of the stations 10, and proceeds to the step S9 when this condition is satisfied, or finishes the server side processing when this condition is not satisfied. Note that each station 10 outputs the betting operation signal regarding an identification information for distinguishing itself from the other stations 10 and a content of the betting operation to the server CPU 49 when the player bets medals on the special game at that station 10. Here, the content of the betting operation includes the number of medals bet on the special game by the player.

Consequently, the server CPU 49 will carry out the processing of the step S9 and the subsequent steps when the player who is participating in the special game exists.

At the step S9, the server CPU 49 outputs a scanner driving signal to the scanner 9. The scanner 9 acquires an image in which the lower faces of the dices 7 are drawn by scanning the upper face of the rotation plate 5 almost entirely according to the scanner driving signal. The scanner 9 outputs an image signal regarding the acquired image to the server CPU 49.

At the step S10, the server CPU 49 waits until the image signal is given from the scanner 9, and proceeds to the step S11 when the image signal is given.

At the step S11, the server CPU 49 outputs a reel stopping result request signal to each station 10. Each station 10 outputs a reel stopping result signal regarding an identification information for distinguishing itself from the other stations 10 and the second station side combination to the server CPU 49, according to the reel stopping result request signal.

At the step S12, the server CPU 49 waits until the reel stopping result signals are given from all the stations 10, and proceeds to the step S13 when the reel stopping result signals are given from all the station 10.

At the step S13, the server CPU 49 carries out a control for determining whether medals are to be paid at one station 10, for each station 10, according to the image signal, and the reel stopping result signal and the betting operation signal given from each station 10. More specifically, the server CPU 49 carries out the following processing for each station 10. Namely, the server CPU 49 judges whether the second station side combination coincides with the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment or not, according to the image signal and the reel stopping result signal given from one station 10, and when they coincide, calculates the number of medals to be paid at one station 10, according to the betting operation signal given from one station 10 and the following equation (1).

(the number of medals to be paid at one station 10)=(the number of medals bet on the special game)×5  (1)

On the other hand, when the second station side combination does not coincide with the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment, the server CPU 49 calculates the number of medals to be paid at one station 10 as “0”. The server CPU 49 generates a judgment result signal regarding the identification information indicated by the reel stopping result given from one station 10 and the calculated number of medals.

At the step S14, the server CPU 49 judges the station 10 to be an output target of each judgment result signal according to the identification information among the information indicated by each judgment result signal, and outputs each judgment result signal to the station 10 that is an output target according to that judgment result. After that, the server CPU 49 finishes the server side processing.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the station side ordinary processing. At the step S15, the station CPU 56 displays the image shown in FIG. 3 on the liquid crystal display device 13. Note that, inside the credit number display frame 26, a value of a total credit number counter (this counter indicates a total credit number and stored in the station RAM 51, and its initial value is “0”) will be displayed. Note that the value of the total credit number counter may be increased by the credit increasing processing to be described below.

At the step S15-1, the station CPU 56 waits until a value of the total credit number counter becomes greater than or equal to 1, and proceeds to the step S16 when a value of the total credit number counter becomes greater than or equal to 1.

At the step S16, the station CPU 56 accepts the betting operation with respect to the ordinary game, that is the operation for pressing the bet button 15. Namely, the station CPU 56 accepts the operation signal regarding the operation for pressing the bet button 15 among the operation signals given from the touch panel 52, and recognizes the content of the betting operation with respect to the ordinary game according to that operation signal. The station CPU 56 stores the recognized content as the ordinary betting operation information into the station RAM 51. Here, the ordinary betting operation information includes the number of medals bet on the ordinary game. The station CPU 56 decreases a value of the total credit number counter according to the ordinary betting operation information. In addition, the station CPU 56 updates a numerical value displayed inside the betting number display frame 24 according to the ordinary betting operation information.

At the step S17, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the betting operation is made with respect to the ordinary game, or more specifically a condition that the ordinary betting operation information is stored in the station RAM 51, and proceeds to the step S18 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S15-1 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S18, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the start button 16 is pressed, according to the operation signal given from the touch panel 52, and proceeds to the step S19 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S15-1 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S19, the station CPU 56 starts the rotation of the reels 44, and stops the reels 44 after a prescribed period (after 10 seconds, for example) since the rotation of the reels 44 is started. As a result, the first station side combination is ascertained.

At the step S20, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the first station side combination coincides with the medal payout target combination according to the correspondence table, and proceeds to the step S21 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S22 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S21, the station CPU 56 calculates the number of medals to be paid at the station 10 according to the following equation (2), and pays medals as much as the calculated number. More specifically, the station CPU 56 displays the calculated number inside the acquired medal number display frame 25, and increases a value of the total credit number counter as much as that calculated number.

(the number of medals to be paid at the station 10)=(the number of medals bet on the ordinary game)×(the payout rate corresponding to the first station side combination)  (2)

At the step S22, “0” is displayed inside the betting number display frame 24 and the acquired medal number display frame 25. In addition, the station CPU 56 deletes unnecessary data (the ordinary betting operation information, for example) among data stored in the station RAM 51. Here, however, the value of the total credit number counter will not be deleted. After that, the station CPU 56 finishes the station side ordinary processing.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the station side special processing. At the step S23, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the preparation start signal is given, and proceeds to the step S24 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S29 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S24, the station CPU 56 displays “300”, which is an initial value of the waiting time, inside the waiting time display frame 17, and decreases the waiting time by one whenever one second elapses. The station CPU 56 waits until the waiting time becomes “0”, and proceeds to the step S25 when the waiting time becomes “0”.

At the step S25, the station CPU 56 displays “60”, which is an initial value of the betting time, inside the betting time display frame 14, displays the reels 18, and flashes the bet button 36. Thereafter, the station CPU 56 decreases a value inside the betting time display frame 14 by one whenever one second elapses, in parallel to the processing of the step S26 to S28.

At the step S26, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that a value of the total credit number counter is greater than or equal to 1, and proceeds to the step S27 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S28 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S27, the station CPU 56 accepts the betting operation with respect to the special game. Namely, the station CPU 56 accepts the operation signal regarding the operation for pressing the bet button 36 among the operation signal given from the touch panel 52, recognizes the content of the betting operation made by the player according to that operation signal, and stores the recognized content as the special betting operation information into the station RAM 51. Here, the special betting operation information includes the number of medals bet on the special game. The station CPU 56 decreases a value of the total credit number counter according to the special betting operation information. In addition, the station CPU 56 updates a numerical value displayed inside the betting number display frame 34 according to the special betting operation information.

At the step S28, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the reel rotation request signal is given from the server CPU 49, and finishes the acceptance of the betting operation with respect to the special game, finishes the flashing of the bet button 36, and proceeds to the step S32 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S26 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S29, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that a value of the total credit number counter is greater than or equal to 1, and proceeds to the step S30 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S23 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S30, the station CPU 56 outputs the credit signal to the server CPU 49.

At the step S31, the station CPU 56 waits until the preparation start signal is given from the server CPU 49, and proceeds to the step S24 when the preparation start signal is given.

Consequently, in the case where at least one station 10 for which the total credit number becomes greater than or equal to 1 exists among the eight stations 10, all the stations 10 will display the waiting time simultaneously, and gradually decrease the waiting time. The player can make the betting operation with respect to the special game at any station 10 after the waiting time becomes “0” until the betting time becomes “0”.

At the step S32, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the special betting operation information is stored in the station RAM 51, that is a condition that the betting operation with respect to the special game is made, and proceeds to the step S33 when this condition is satisfied, or proceeds to the step S34 when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S33, the station CPU 56 outputs the betting operation signal regarding the identification information for distinguishing the own station 10 from the other stations 10 and the special betting operation information to the server CPU 49.

At the step S34, the station CPU 56 starts the rotation of the reels 18. At the step S35, the station CPU 56 waits until a prescribed rotation period (10 seconds, for example) elapses since the processing of the step S34 is finished, and proceeds to the step S36 when the prescribed rotation period has elapsed.

At the step S36, the station CPU 56 stops the reels 18. As a result, the second station side combination is ascertained.

At the step S37, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the reel stopping result request signal is given from the server CPU 49, and proceeds to the step S38 when this condition is satisfied, or finishes the station side special processing when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S38, the station CPU 56 outputs the reel stopping result signal regarding the identification information for distinguishing the own station 10 from the other stations 10 and the second station side combination to the server CPU 49.

At the step S39, the station CPU 56 waits until the judgment result signal is given from the server CPU 49, and proceeds to the step S40 when the judgment result signal is given.

At the step S40, the station CPU 56 judges whether a payout of medals is to be made or not according to the judgment result signal, and proceeds to the step S41 when the payout of medals is to be made, or proceeds to the step S42 when the payout of medals is not to be made.

At the step S41, the station CPU 56 recognizes the number of medals to be paid to the player in the special game according to the judgment result signal. The station CPU 56 displays the number of medals to be paid to the player in the special game inside the acquired medal number display frame 35. In addition, the station CPU 56 adds the number of medals to be paid to the player in the special game to a value of the total credit number counter.

At the step S42, the station CPU 56 displays “0” inside the betting number display frame 34 and the acquired medal number display frame 35. In addition, the station CPU 56 deletes unnecessary data (the special betting operation information, for example) among data stored in the station RAM 51. Here, however, the value of the total credit number counter will not be deleted. After that, the station CPU 56 finishes the station side special processing.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the credit increasing processing. At the step S43, the station CPU 56 judges a condition that the credit detection signal is given from the medal sensor 53, and proceeds to the step S44 when this condition is satisfied, or finishes the credit increasing processing when this condition is not satisfied.

At the step S44, the station CPU 56 increases the value of the total credit number counter by “1”. After that, the station CPU 56 finishes the credit increasing processing.

As described above, the gaming device 1 provides a new multiple participant type game in which medals are paid at the station 10 on which the second station side combination is displayed, when the second station side combination contains the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment. In addition, a player cannot judge whether a payout of medals can be received by himself or not unless attentions are paid to both the dice rotation device 2 and the station 10 at which a player himself made the betting operation, so that it is expected to be less likely to get bored by the game compared with the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the dice rotation device 2 or the case where it suffices to pay attentions only to the station 10 at which a player himself made the betting operation.

In particular, the gaming device 1 provides a new multiple participant type game in which medals are paid at the station 10 on which the second station side combination is displayed, when the second station side combination coincides with the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment.

In addition, the gaming device 1 provides two games including the ordinary game and the special game. In addition, the player can bet medals to a game on which the player wishes to bet medals among the ordinary game and the special game, and receive the payout of medals according to a result of a game on which medals are bet.

The gaming device and playing method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. In this embodiment, one kind of character image, the frog character image X is used, for example, as the dynamic character image X that is the predetermined character image. However, several kinds of character images may be used as predetermined character images and simultaneously displayed. In such a case, in addition to setting of payouts in this embodiment, setting of payouts according to the kinds of the predetermined character images may be executed. Specifically, a payout amount may be set to vary according to the kinds of the predetermined character images.

Moreover, the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention are only a list of optimum effects achieved by the present invention. Hence, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiment of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, the dice symbols themselves are used as the symbol information (that is, the symbol information=the combination of the three dice symbols for judgment), but the symbol information may be a letter information indicating the dice symbols. In this case, the common display will be one that is capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display, for example. When the letter information is used as the symbol information, the gaming device 1 will pay medals when the second station side combination contains the dice symbols indicated by that letter information. In addition, symbols other than the dice symbols, such as symbols drawn on trump cards (a Queen of Heart, etc., for example) may be used. The reels 18 and 44 may be the so called mechanical reels. The numbers of the reels 18 and 44 to be displayed at one liquid crystal display device 13 are not limited to the above described numbers. The communications between the server CPU 49 and the station CPU 56 may be wire communications or wireless communications. The gaming device 1 pays medals as a prize, but a prize may be other than that, such as tickets having similar level of values as medals. Also, the special game may be provided as a bonus game at arbitrary timing. 

1. A gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display a symbol information indicating symbols to be a target for awarding a prize; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols indicated by the symbol information displayed on the common display.
 2. A gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display symbols; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols displayed on the common display.
 3. A gaming device, comprising: a common display configured to display a plurality of symbols; a plurality of stations having an individual display configured to arrange and rearrange a plurality of symbols; and a controller configured to award a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when a combination of symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations coincides with a combination of symbols displayed on the common display.
 4. A playing method of a game, comprising: displaying a symbol information indicating symbols to be a target for awarding a prize on a common display; rearranging symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols indicated by the symbol information displayed on the common display.
 5. A playing method of a game, comprising: displaying symbols on a common display; rearranging symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations contain symbols displayed on the common display.
 6. A playing method of a game, comprising: displaying a plurality of symbols on a common display; rearranging a plurality of symbols arranged on an individual display provided at each of a plurality of stations; and awarding a prize at one of the stations, for each station, when a combination of symbols rearranged on the individual display provided at the one of the stations coincides with a combination of symbols displayed on the common display. 